Through PermitSF, San Francisco is beginning to roll out improved online permitting services.
Starting September 14, they include applications on PermitSF for the following no-plans projects:
- Electrical permits
- Plumbing and mechanical permits
- Kitchen or bath remodeling permits for in-kind, nonstructural work
You will not need to go to the Permit Center to apply for these permits. You will also not receive a job card if you apply through the PermitSF portal. Your digital permits can be retrieved in your PermitSF portal.
You will schedule your inspections for these permits on PermitSF.
Starting September 14, new submissions of online electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and in-kind nonstructural kitchen or bath remodeling permits will only be accessed from PermitSF. Paper applications will no longer be accepted, , and you’ll no longer apply through the City’s Permit Tracking System.
Electrical permit updates
Apply for no-plan electrical permits for all residential and commercial buildings on PermitSF.
Homeowners can apply to work on their single family homes that are their primary residences. They will need to talk to an inspector before their permit will be approved. If the homeowner cannot demonstrate that they can do the electrical work safely, they will need to hire a licensed contractor and have them apply for a new permit.
If you are a contractor authorized for Express Permits on PermitSF, you can skip City staff review and pay for your permit right away.
In the form, we will ask you for:
- Information about the building, including whether the project is residential/commercial, and which floor the work is being done
- Number of devices or outlets
- The size of the space you're wiring for
- Estimated valuation of the work, including all materials and labor
- Type of electrical permit
- If you'll be doing any category 3 electrical work (services, subpanels, generators, transformers, fire pumps, or UPS equipment)
- If you'll be doing any category 5 miscellaneous electrical work
- Contractor information
- The last section of the Contractor Authorization form completed and the contractor's driver's license, if you are an authorized agent for a contractor and are not connected to an AUTH record
- Business information, if the work will be done for a business
Depending on the building and the work, we may also ask you for:
- The overall building area where the work is being performed
- The number of rooms or building dwelling units being worked on
- Service size (in amps) of any service distribution and utilization equipment
- The number of items or components being installed
- Associated building permit numbers, if any
Plumbing and mechanical permit updates
Apply for no-plan plumbing permits for all residential and commercial buildings on PermitSF.
Homeowners can apply to work on their single family homes that are their primary residences. They will need to talk to an inspector before their permit will be approved. If the homeowner cannot demonstrate that they can do the plumbing or mechanical work safely, they will need to hire a licensed contractor and have them apply for a new permit.
If you are a contractor authorized for Express Permits on PermitSF, you can skip City staff review and pay for your permit right away.
In the form, we will ask you for:
- Information about the building, including whether the project is residential/commercial, existing use, number of stories, and which floors the work is being done
- Type of plumbing or mechanical work you plan to do
- Number of units or floors you're working on
- Estimated valuation of the work, including all materials and labor
- Contractor information
- The last section of the Contractor Authorization form completed and the contractor's driver's license, if you are an authorized agent for a contractor and are not connected to an AUTH record
- Business information, if the work will be done for a business
Depending on the scope, we may also ask you for:
- The number of components you plan to install
- The number of tenant spaces you will work on, for commercial work
- Whether your job includes a stormwater control plan, alternate water system, or underground plumbing
- Number of kitchen drainage and/or gas outlets, for restaurant work
- Serial number of any boilers being removed
Kitchen or bath remodeling permit updates
Apply on PermitSF for in-kind, nonstructural remodeling work for all R-3 and some R-2 buildings
The kitchen or bath remodeling permit is available on the PermitSF portal for R-3 buildings (single family homes or duplexes), or R-2 apartment buildings built before 1991.
Homeowners can apply to work on their single family homes that are their primary residences. They will need to talk to an inspector before their permit will be approved. If the homeowner cannot demonstrate that they can do the construction work safely, they will need to hire a licensed contractor and have them apply for a new permit.
If you are a contractor authorized for Express Permits on PermitSF, you can skip City staff review and pay for your permit right away.
In the form, we will ask you for:
- Information about the building, including construction type, occupancy type, existing use, number of stories, and which floors the work is being done
- Number of kitchens or bathrooms you're working on, and their floor locations
- Estimated valuation of the work, including all materials and labor
- Whether electrical and plumbing work will be done with the remodel
- Contractor information, if a contractor will do the work
- The last section of the Contractor Authorization form completed and the contractor's driver's license, if you are an authorized agent for a contractor and are not connected to an AUTH record
Electrical and plumbing work related to kitchen or bath remodeling work
If you'll be doing electrical and plumbing work with the remodeling permit, you'll be prompted to complete separate electrical and plumbing permits in PermitSF after submitting the remodeling permit.
You can assign the electrical or plumbing permits to someone else to complete in PermitSF. Fees for each individual permit will be paid based on the scope of each permit.
Homeowners can apply to work on their single family homes that are their primary residences. They will need to talk to an inspector before their permit will be approved. If the homeowner cannot demonstrate that they can do the electrical or plumbing work safely, they will need to hire a licensed contractor and have them apply for a new permit.
You will not be able to schedule final inspections for the kitchen or bath remodel until the electrical and plumbing work passes final inspection.
Apply in-person for structural kitchen or bath remodels that require plans
Kitchen or bath remodels that require plans or structural work (removing or moving walls) can still apply for a permit using the existing over-the-counter process.
Inspection updates
For all permits in PermitSF containing BLDG, ELEC, or PLMB in the record number, you will be prompted to request an inspection after your permit is issued in PermitSF.
Existing projects in the previous Department of Building Inspection system
If you have an existing permit under the previous systems for building, electrical, or plumbing/mechanical, you will still be able to schedule inspections there. Although, any new permits must be applied for on the PermitSF portal.
Getting help
Refer to PermitSF portal how-tos for more details about working in the new system.
If you have questions or need help, email PermitSF@sfgov.org
Our staff can help you virtually.
At the Permit Center, staff will be available to help you in person, to create an account or complete your permit applications in the new systems.